Almerian Habas Con Jamon

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If you’re planning a trip to Cyprus, you could be forgiven for never going farther than your pool or the nearest beach. Crystal-clear seas, miles of white sand and a climate that’s closer to the Middle East than the Mediterranean make this beautiful island a sun-worshipper’s paradise – particularly if you’re in one of our beautifully appointed villas, which are dotted all over Cyprus. But on the off-chance that you want to do more than relax by the pool or practice ordering a drink in Greek (and Turkish), here are some of our favourite Cypriot destinations and daytrips.

Traditional Cypriot life – Polis

If you want an authentic taste of old Cyprus, look no further than the gorgeous north-western retreat of Polis, which simply means ‘town’ in Greek. Six of our villas are within a few minutes’ drive of the town, and apart from them, the entire area is frozen in time. Local life revolves around the town square and its wide selection of traditional restaurants and shops. Polis is surrounded on one side by the sea and on the other by a breathtaking nature reserve, with established trails perfect for discovering the indigenous wildlife of this wild uninhabited area.

Restaurants in the small town of Polis

Head underwater – Pissouri Bay

Cyprus is a SCUBA paradise, with dives to suit all levels of experience and daring. Many divers are drawn to the wreck of the RS Zenobia outside Larnaca, leaving space at quieter spots like Pissouri Bay – where you can have just as thrilling an experience without swimming into any ghosts! The Jubilee Shoals, a huge cliff face teeming with everything from tuna to morays, is one of the best places to watch sealife in the sadly overfished Med; drop-offs up to 60m should be enough for even the most hardened thrill-seeker. If you’d rather stay closer to the surface, Aphrodite’s Rock – where, according to legend, the goddess first rose from the water – is novice-friendly at a depth of just 6m.

Local vineyard tours – Paphos

Cypriots may have been making wine for as many as five thousand years, so they’ve had plenty of time to practice. The island produces a variety of vintages in an unusual style that blends New World techniques with an Old World setting – taking a trip to one of the many vineyards is a must for any visiting wine buff, whilst less expert travellers will enjoy the beautiful scenery and traditional buildings that often frame these ancient constructions. A number of local companies offer tours that take in one or several vineyards (and often include a tasting), many of them just minutes from our Coral Bay villas.

A vineyard in Paphos

Family fun – Protaras

Our six villas in Protaras aren’t just ideally situated for some of the best sand and sea on Cyprus – they’re also within minutes of a wide range of attractions, perfect for families and groups with younger travellers. Jet skis, parasailing and other aquatic activities are available along the beach, and if you’re after a view there’s a stunning nature trail running from the church of Profitis Elias to Konnos beach. You could even try your hand at zorbing! When night falls, there’s only one place to be; the Magic Dancing Waters Show. This world-famous musical spectacle combines fire and smoke, lasers, almost 20,000 individual water spouts and even a volcanic eruption into one extraordinary and unforgettable evening.

A view of Konnos beach

We hope you’ve been swayed by some of our top things to do in Cyprus – if so, why not explore some of our villas here.

Sally is a Digital Acquisition Manager at James Villa Holidays.

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